Thatgamecompany, known for Journey, Flow, Flower, and Sky: Children of the Light, has announced the launch of its own publishing division, Thatgamepublisher.
Thatgamecompany co-founder Jenova Chen explained that such a model is particularly attractive for successful indie developers. According to him, studios often create games with small teams and limited budgets, and unexpected commercial success brings them significantly more money than they can effectively spend on their own.
According to Chen, a logical way to use additional funds is to invest in other independent projects, as the developers themselves understand the specifics of the indie market well.
Chen also noted that over the years, the game industry's distribution model has changed significantly. While traditional media and platforms played a significant role during Journey's release, today, he believes, the audience has gained much more influence thanks to bloggers, influencers, and communities.